We all know exercise and fitness are important to our overall health. But did you know it can also have a positive impact on your business?

If an entrepreneur does not exercise or stops exercising, his health goes down the drain. Losing physical health decreases productivity at work which can lead to developing anxiety and depression. The lack of motivation is detrimental to any business because it is what fuels going to work each day and getting better at it. Succeeding in one area of life can promote success in all others and exercise is the easiest to control, measure, plan, modify and succeed at.

Studies have shown that a regular exercise regimen improves concentration, sharpens memory, speeds up learning, prolongs mental stamina, enhances creativity, lowers stress and elevates mood. All these have positive effects on performance at work or on handling a business.

Regular exercise can make you a better entrepreneur. Here are the surprising business benefits of exercise:

Boosts your brain power

In 2012, Montreal Heart Institute published a study showing that aerobic exercise improved cognitive function due to the increased blood flow to the brain. After workout blood flow makes for an optimal condition for performing tasks necessitating focused thinking, according to Harvard researchers. If businessmen have sharper focus, they’ll be able to handle more challenging business decisions, conjure better business plans, come up with new ideas and perform sound process improvements.

Enhances productivity

According to a 2005 study, regular exercise increased overall work performance to approximately 15 percent. Exercise was also seen to improve time-management skills, which improved meeting deadlines and decreased turnaround time. A 2008 study from the University of Bristol revealed that employees who exercised regularly took 25 percent less unscheduled breaks compared to non-exercisers. Workers who keep a fitness program had 22 percent decrease in absenteeism, according to the Journal of Exercise Physiology. Moreover, the American Council on Exercise discovered that regular lowered the amount of on-the-job injuries by 17 percent. These are evidence enough that exercise makes businesses more efficient with more productive employees.

Reduces stress

Regular exercise diminishes stress hormones and boosts endorphins, the natural upper. According to different studies, regular exercisers report higher tolerance, improved tempers, less anxiety and depression, increased morale and a deeper sense of calmness. All these make a businessman feel more productive and more satisfied with their work. Exercise allows for approaching work with a calmer and clearer mindset so more rational decisions can be made.

Improves energy

According to a 2008 study published in the Journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, those who engaged in regular exercise reported up to 65 percent decrease in fatigue. Exercising promotes better sleep which leads to feeling rejuvenated and more energetic the next day. This affects work performance and productivity at every stage.

Build your network

Regular workouts can help businessmen connect with prospective clients or intensify existing business ties. It reveals people’s personalities and allows for a different level of communication and a deeper knowledge of each other that would be impossible over a formal business meeting.

With all these business benefits of exercise, it should be part of your job. It is your responsibility to keep yourself in good shape to keep the business running. So what if you are too busy and don’t have time to hit the gym? You can always opt for virtual workouts that are convenient and easily accessible through the Internet. This is a great solution for businessmen and entrepreneurs that are short on time and but still want to get workout sessions that are still challenging and rewarding as going to the gym.